Level 8: How Do I Keep My Fruit (Testimony) from Being Stolen (Spiritual Warfare)?

Part A: Knowing the Enemy

Memory Verse: I Peter 5:8

If Satan kills you he only creates a martyr who enters into the hall of faith (Hebrews 11) and
becomes one of the great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) but if robs you of your testimony he
discredits you and your faith before others (I Corinthians 9:27, II Corinthians 13:5-7). Protect your
testimony from being robbed or killed!

I. Who is the enemy? Satan

1. Before fall from grace, name was Lucifer (light-bearer, Isaiah 14:12) Downfall was due
to pride and the desire to be ruler of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-20) thus we are admonished to
beware of Satan who transforms himself into an angel of light. (II Corinthians 11:14)

2. Seal of perfection, full of wisdom, perfect in beauty, musical being covered in precious
stones till he became corrupted in pride and became deceitful and rebellious. He was cast
down with all the angels who followed him. (Ezekiel 28:12-19)

3. Serpent of old who deceived Adam and Eve in the garden to disobey God.
(Revelation 20:2, Genesis 3:1-5)

4. Satan or the devil is the adversary of God and all who follow him.
Satan means “adversary” or “enemy of God” Luke 10:18
Devil means “slanderer” or also “adversary of God” (Hebrew word)
(Matthew 4:1-11, Ephesians 6:11, John 13:2, 27, Revelation 12:7-9)

I Peter 5:8-9
“Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion
seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same
sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

Satan is like a lion seeking ways to devour your testimony (I Corinthians 9:24-27, II
Corinthians 13:5-7) or kill you (John 10:10). A lion searches for those separated from the
protection of the herd (church) or those who are young, old, weak, injured or are not
watchful and therefore easy prey. (Ephesians 6:10-13).

(a) If we stand alone (I Corinthians 10:12) apart from the herd (Hebrews 10:25) because
of pride (James 10:4-7) or confidence in our own strength (Isaiah 40:30-31) or our
own wisdom (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 27:17) we will surely fall prey to the enemy.

(b) If we grow lukewarm or lose our first love as we become older Christians we will fall
prey to the enemy. (Revelation 2:4, Revelation 3:15-16)
 (c) If we are spiritually weak and immature we are susceptible to the enemy’s attacks.
(I Corinthians 3:1-4)

(d) If we are young in our faith we are vulnerable to attack from the enemy.
(I Peter 2:1-3)

(d) If we are not watchful or disciplined at all times we become easy prey for the enemy.
(I Corinthians 9:24-27, II Corinthians 13:5-7)

5. Ten other names for Satan/devil

Name of Satan Overcome by Jesus

(1) Father of all lies, murderer John 8:44 John 8:31-32, I Corinthians 15:54-58
(2) Accuser of the saints Revelation 12:10, Job 1:6-2:7 Romans 8:31-39
(3) Tempter Matthew 4:3 Hebrews 4:14-16, I Corinthians 10:13
(4) Thief: steal, kill, & destroy John 10:10a John 10:10b
(5) Angel of the bottomless pit Revelation 9:11 Ephesians 4:8-10, Revelation 1:18
(6) God of this age II Corinthians 4:4 Revelation 1:8, 17-18
(7) Ruler of the demons Matthew 12:24 Luke 10:17-20, James 2:19, II Peter 2:4
(8) Ruler of this world John 14:30 John 16:33, Colossians 2:15-18
(9) Wicked one Matthew 13:19 I John 2:1-2, I John 3:7-8
(10) Serpent of old, dragon Revelation 12:7-9 Genesis 3:14-15, Revelation 20:1-10

Jesus will never leave or forsake us and is our Helper in our time of need (Hebrews 13:5-6).
We have authority through faith in the name of Jesus over Satan and his demons (Philippians 2:9-
11) but this authority can not be used by non-believers (Acts 19:13-17). We have no reason to fear
if we walk in the power of God. (II Timothy 1:7)

II. How does he do battle? Satan’s forces

1. Size
1/3 of the angels in heaven were cast down in rebellion.
Revelation 12:4-9

2. Organization

Under Satan’s authority Matthew 12:24-30

Principalities Ephesians 6:12
Powers
Rulers of the darkness of this age
Spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places
 3. Territorial Daniel 10:1-17
Daniel prayed and fasted for 24 days before angel appeared because the angel was
opposed by the prince of the kingdom of Persia (not an earthly king) who withstood
him for 21 days until God sent Michael one of the chief princes (Jude 9) to overcome
the kings of Persia the angel faced alone. Prince fought against prince or principality
against principality. The angel was not able to enter the enemy’s territory until the
enemy had been overcome. Angels were sent on the basis of prayer and fasting.

Prayer Walking is about re-claiming territory in the name of the Lord.

4. Involved in earthly conflicts and demon possessions but overcome by the power of
God through prayer, fasting and the name of the Lord.
(1) Earthly Conflicts.
II Kings 6:13-23, II Chronicles 20:1-24
“Do not fear greater are those who are with us than those who are with
them.”
(Chariots of fire) II Kings 6:16

“Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is
not yours, but God’s.” II Chronicles 20:15
(2) Demon Possession leading to physical illness and mental illness.
(a) Physical Illness
Epileptic son possessed by evil spirit
Matthew 17: 14-21

“However this kind (faith) does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Matthew 17:21

i. Mute who could not speak Luke 11:14-23

ii. “But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God
has come upon you.” Luke 11:20 Binding the strongman
iii. Healing all kinds of diseases (many demon related) Matthew 4:23-24

(b) Mentally Unstable

Demonic restored to “right mind” Mark 5:1-20
“sitting, clothed and in his right mind” Mark 5:15

III. What is at stake? Our testimony.

Protect our testimony by being sober, steadfast, and vigilant. Satan is looking for the weak
and unprotected so he may devour them. If Satan takes our life he loses and a martyr is
added to the hall of faithful (Hebrews 11) but if he succeeds in robbing our testimony then
our faith is made to look false before men. (I Peter5:8-9). Satan wants to steal our testimony
 so we are disqualified before men (I Corinthians 9:27, II Corinthians 13:5-7) and the name
of Christ is discredited.

IV. How do we do battle? With spiritual weapons from God

II Corinthians 10:3-6 Weapons mighty in God
Ephesians 6:10-20 Spiritual Armor, praying always, alert & vigilant
II Corinthians 6:1-10 Righteousness, love, truth, endurance
I Peter 4:1-6 Mind of Christ
I John 5:4-5 Faith
I Corinthians 9:23-27 Discipline of the body
I Thessalonians 5:6-8 Faith, love, and hope of salvation

Commands to follow in the up-coming month:

1. Share your faith (II Corinthians 5:20, Matthew 4:19)
2. Teach (II Timothy 2:2) and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)
3. Form house churches (Acts 2:46-47)
4. Baptize (Romans 6:3-14) and practice Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:17-34)
5. Hold one another accountable. (Proverbs 27:17)
6. Daily cleansing (I John 1:9) and work on relationships (John 13:34-35)
7. Spend time in God’s Word so you may grow and mature (I Peter 2:1-2)
8. Establish godly leadership within your Body of Christ (I Peter 5:1- 4)
9. Support your church in giving tithes and offerings. (Malachi 3:8-10, II Corinthians 9)
10. Support your church by exercising your spiritual gifts serving others. (Ephesians 4:1-16)
11. Daily wait upon the Lord for cleansing, renewal and power to do His will. (Isaiah 40:31)
12. Daily Meditate on God’s Truth so His Truth can be your guide. (John 10:1-16).
13. Daily die to self so you decrease and Christ increases resulting in more fruit in your life and
church. (John 3:30, John 12:24-26, Galatians 2:20, John 15:5-7)
14. Be watchful and diligent staying close to the Herd (church) so you are not easy prey for the
enemy. (I Peter 5:8)